Word on Fire Reflection

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, on this feast of the Holy Innocents, a baby is at the center of attention as the Gospel story commences. Cherished by his mother, protected by his foster-father, bestowed with gifts by the Magi, the baby Jesus is at the same time threatened by Herod and indeed by all of Jerusalem, … Read moreThursday, December 28, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, on this feast of St. John, our Gospel tells of his coming to faith in the Resurrection when he saw the empty tomb. From this grave of Jesus, we learn that everything we took to be the case is not the case; that what always moved this way now moves that … Read moreWednesday, December 27, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus predicts the coming persecution of his disciples. And we can see his prophetic word realized through the ages. Think of St. Peter himself, crucified upside down in the circus of Nero; of Felicity and Perpetua, thrown to wild animals because they wouldn’t deny their faith; of Thomas … Read moreTuesday, December 26, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, our Gospel for Christmas day is the prologue to the Gospel of John. In many ways, it is the entire Gospel, indeed the entire Bible, in miniature. Let’s turn to the central passage: “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The word used in Greek here for … Read moreMonday, December 25, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel reveals to Mary that she will bear a Son who will reign from David’s throne. As background, note that God had promised that David’s throne would last forever, but his line had apparently been broken in 587 BC. Six hundred years later, Gabriel appeared to … Read moreSunday, December 24, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel tells the story of the birth and naming of John the Baptist. John’s father Zechariah had been rendered speechless after his vision in the sanctuary, but we hear that “his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.” What follows this passage is the wonderful Canticle … Read moreSaturday, December 23, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, we hear the Magnificat—Mary’s great hymn of praise to Yahweh. The hymn commences with the simple declaration, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” Mary announces here that her whole being is ordered to the glorification of God. Her ego wants nothing for itself; it wants only … Read moreFriday, December 22, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel tells the marvelous story of the Visitation. At the Annunciation, the angel had told Mary that the child to be conceived in her would be the new David. With that magnificent prophecy still ringing in her ears, Mary set out to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was married to … Read moreThursday, December 21, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she has been chosen to be the mother of God. In the face of this overwhelming word, Mary is confused: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And she cannot begin to imagine the full consequences … Read moreWednesday, December 20, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, our Gospel today is from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, which is thoroughly drenched in Davidic themes from the Old Testament. The first thing we hear about Zechariah is that he serves as priest in the Jerusalem temple; and David’s dream was to build the temple in which … Read moreTuesday, December 19, 2023